Interestingquestion.

I've always thought, it was an artistic movement which came and went and is in the process of being gone.

It was a time. And you can't sum it up in just talking about the music. Obviously music will continue - however much the authorities try to suppress it.

But didn't it also have something to do with those ratty old pubs we used to crowd into. However much you revive and posh up an old pub, somehow its not the same.

Something also about the people. There was something of Hancock about bohemian characters like Johnny Handle, Hamish Imlach, Derek Brimstone. I mean they weren't candidates for Britains Got Talent.

I think it had something to do about the wars of the 20th century, the crumbling industries - the rootlessness of us all. The lives we tried to lead and failed for the most part. Also the rarity of good instruments. Ownership of a a Gibson J200 by Alex Campbell made him an incredibly glamorous presence, quite beyond the aspirations of anyone I knew.

I suppose someone will say - well I know some thrilling youngsters who play quite beyond the ability of those old farts. Well yes, I'd have to agree. But given the limited horizons most us (in England) faced, I think it took more of a powerful imagination in those days to dream of being s folksinger.